diff --git a/src/vim9compile.c b/src/vim9compile.c
index 5af30fd..90d7adb 100644
--- a/src/vim9compile.c
+++ b/src/vim9compile.c
@@ -810,7 +810,7 @@
  * Compile a nested :def command.
  */
     static char_u *
-compile_nested_function(exarg_T *eap, cctx_T *cctx, char_u **line_to_free)
+compile_nested_function(exarg_T *eap, cctx_T *cctx, garray_T *lines_to_free)
 {
     int		is_global = *eap->arg == 'g' && eap->arg[1] == ':';
     char_u	*name_start = eap->arg;
@@ -876,7 +876,7 @@
 	goto theend;
     }
 
-    ufunc = define_function(eap, lambda_name, line_to_free);
+    ufunc = define_function(eap, lambda_name, lines_to_free);
     if (ufunc == NULL)
     {
 	r = eap->skip ? OK : FAIL;
@@ -2496,7 +2496,7 @@
 	cctx_T		*outer_cctx)
 {
     char_u	*line = NULL;
-    char_u	*line_to_free = NULL;
+    garray_T	lines_to_free;
     char_u	*p;
     char	*errormsg = NULL;	// error message
     cctx_T	cctx;
@@ -2514,6 +2514,9 @@
 #endif
     int		debug_lnum = -1;
 
+    // allocated lines are freed at the end
+    ga_init2(&lines_to_free, sizeof(char_u *), 50);
+
     // When using a function that was compiled before: Free old instructions.
     // The index is reused.  Otherwise add a new entry in "def_functions".
     if (ufunc->uf_dfunc_idx > 0)
@@ -2681,8 +2684,8 @@
 	    if (line != NULL)
 	    {
 		line = vim_strsave(line);
-		vim_free(line_to_free);
-		line_to_free = line;
+		if (ga_add_string(&lines_to_free, line) == FAIL)
+		    goto erret;
 	    }
 	}
 
@@ -2926,7 +2929,7 @@
 	    case CMD_def:
 	    case CMD_function:
 		    ea.arg = p;
-		    line = compile_nested_function(&ea, &cctx, &line_to_free);
+		    line = compile_nested_function(&ea, &cctx, &lines_to_free);
 		    break;
 
 	    case CMD_return:
@@ -3236,7 +3239,7 @@
     if (do_estack_push)
 	estack_pop();
 
-    vim_free(line_to_free);
+    ga_clear_strings(&lines_to_free);
     free_imported(&cctx);
     free_locals(&cctx);
     ga_clear(&cctx.ctx_type_stack);